by A. A. Dhand
Isaac put his hand in his bag and pulled out a handful of photocopied sketches. ‘Here, I wanted you to see these first, before I submitted them to my publisher for next week’s edition.’
Harry took them and tried not to laugh. It made his ribs scream. ‘Are you kidding?’ he said.
‘Time Harry Virdee, or should I say Harri Verde, got his own edition.’
Harry flicked through the pages. ‘I don’t know what to say. Is this libellous?’
‘It’s all good stuff. Now you’re famous.’
‘Do I get any of that seven-figure action your publisher gave you?’
‘Name your number.’
Harry waved the pages at him. ‘I’m content with this. Nice touch.’ He stuck out his hand and Isaac shook it. ‘Farewell, Isaac Wolfe. London won’t know what hit them.’
‘You’ll come visit, right?’
‘Some time. For now, Bradford will do just fine.’
They shook hands, a few gentle slaps on the back, a bond they wouldn’t easily forget.
‘Someone told me you handed in your resignation – is that right? Or fake news?’
Harry went to answer, paused, then glanced around the cemetery. ‘We’re a long time dead, no?’
Isaac didn’t reply.
Harry smiled. ‘Don’t worry, Isaac Wolfe. Whatever happens, I’m pretty certain Bradford hasn’t seen the last of me yet.’
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This one was tough! A seismic plot, which did indeed push me to my limits as a writer.
Huge thanks to my incredible editor, Darcy Nicholson. I’m not sure how we continue to do this! You push me to my limits and I appreciate it more than you realize. We are breaking boundaries and creating the sort of fiction that I always dreamt of writing. You work so hard on these books with me and continue to be my secret weapon. The entire team at Transworld is amazing, especially the copy-editing team. Thank you all, so much.
To former DCI Steve Snow, for allowing me to hound you, probably more than I should! I know I break the rules with my plots, but the fact that you are always there, guiding, advising and constantly trying to help me create the high-end drama I love to write is invaluable. Long may it continue! I’ve got to be honest, sitting there and watching your expressions as I twist and turn the plots is great fun! As you’ve told me before, ‘If you were not a writer, Amit, I’d probably nick you …’ Stay retired Steve! We have much more work to do!
To Rob Glover, for running me through a detailed plot strand which ultimately didn’t make the final cut – but rest assured, it’s coming!
Michael Shackleton, at Bradford City Football Club, for the generous access. Come on the Bantams!
Dr Jasjit Singh for assisting me with the finer points of Sikhism and Asian culture. I am so glad to have you on #teamVirdee!
My agent Simon Trewin for the continual support and for always being at the end of a phone.
To the ‘Red Hot Chilli Writers’ – Ayisha Malik, Vaseem Khan, Abir Mukherjee, Imran Mahmood and Alex Khan. Keep smashing the clichés guys! A wonderfully supportive space to be part of. Also, for the humorous hours of ‘bakwas’. Keep it coming!
My family – I know it’s hard when I’m writing and I ‘disappear’ into the fictional world I’ve created.
To the city of Bradford. Thank you for continuing to support Harry – he will always keep you safe!
Finally, my wife. This one was bruising! I couldn’t have done it without you constantly telling me; ‘one more page, one more chapter, one more hour …’
You are the only person I write for and I couldn’t do it without you. Four books done and I’ve fooled you with the twists and turns each time! Seeing the look on your face when you finally read, ‘the end’ is the only reason I keep doing this.
I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again:
Keep doing what you do – it makes me do what I do.
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First published in Great Britain in 2019 by Bantam Press
an imprint of Transworld Publishers
Copyright © A. A. Dhand 2019
Photographs: background © Alamy; figure © Arcangel
Design: headdesign.co.uk
A. A. Dhand has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.
This book is a work of fiction and, except in the case of historical fact, any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
Every effort has been made to obtain the necessary permissions with reference to copyright material, both illustrative and quoted. We apologize for any omissions in this respect and will be pleased to make the appropriate acknowledgements in any future edition.
A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
ISBN 9781473567894
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